Synonyms of agitate

agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt 

1

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stir
• wash
• swirl
• shake
• whisk
• churn
• whip
• whirl
• beat
• wheel
• paddle
• reel

2

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disturb
• bother
• distract
• worry
• alarm
• concern
• unsettle
• anger
• annoy
• upset
• distress
• irritate
• perturb
• haunt
• derail
• confuse
• discompose
• discomfort
• unhinge
• plague
• disquiet
• ail
• undo
• rattle
• embarrass
• exercise
• dismay
• aggravate
• fuss
• exasperate
• flurry
• distemper
• harass
• rile
• freak (out)
• discourage
• vex
• irk
• frazzle
• alarum
• pester
• weird out
• bug
• chafe
• bedevil
• hagride
• pique
• put off
• fluster
• grate
• put out
• disconcert
• fret
• chivvy
• discomfit
• mortify
• confound
• discountenance
• gall
• get
• harry
• nettle
• demoralize
• chivy
• dispirit
• unnerve
• dishearten
• shake up
• faze
• abash
• peeve
• jar
• daunt
• nonplus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• soothe
• compose
• calm
• quiet
• alleviate
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• tranquillize
• pacify
• placate
• appease
• mollify
• conciliate
• propitiate

3

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements

set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• vibrate
• jerk
• shudder
• tremble
• quiver
• convulse
• shiver
• sway
• jiggle
• bucket
• twitch
• wobble
• jolt
• wabble
• quake
• swing
• joggle
• judder
• jounce
• flicker
• throb
• wave
• rock
• chatter
• flutter
• oscillate
• thrill
• pulsate
• waver
• fluctuate
• undulate
• quaver
• palpitate
• pulse
• beat
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

4

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discuss
• debate
• argue
• dispute
• canvass
• talk over
• raise
• review
• canvas
• moot
• bandy
• bat (around or back and forth)
• introduce
• consider
• propound
• talk (about)
• hash (over or out)
• stir up
• speak (about)
• weigh
• broach
• deliberate
• forge
• hammer out
• thrash (out)
• wrestle (with)
• talk out
• chew over

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of agitate

The nearness of bees, and of other things that agitate most people, calms me. —Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, those on the right are agitating to declare left wing activists as terrorists. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025

Skilled content creators know that their content has to do more than agitate problems and provide solutions. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The play was indicative of what Burton does best – agitate, disrupt and make opposing stars uncomfortable. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025